Finger type circuit regulator



Jan. l, 1952 A, M, COHEN FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet lFiled June 22, 1948 INVENTOR.

HET/901@ f7. COHE/l/ kl u Jan. 1, 1952 A. M. COHEN 2,580,732

FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR Filed June 22, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lum*'IIHIIIIN .Will-m ..llllll Iil' w of@ INVENTOR- BY l Jan. 1, 1952 A. M.COHEN FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 22, 1948vm w Patented Jan. l, 1952 FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR Arthur M.Cohen, New York, N. Y.

Application June 22, 1948, Serial No. 34,517

25 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel construction of a finger typecircuit regulator.

Circuit regulators, and particularly those of the type known as voltageregulators, have in the past taken a large number of forms. The presentinvention relates to that type of regulator commonly known as the fingertype by reason of the fact that it employs a plurality of movablelingers each normally urged into electrical connection with acorresponding Yfixed contact, the fingers being sequentially movable outof electrical engagement with their respective fixed contacts so as tovary the circuit constants of the circuit with which the regulator isassociated. Finger type regulators as heretofore known have sufferedfrom the disadvantage that they were either exceedingly large and heavyor else were highly susceptible to derangement and malfunctioningbecause of vibrations or the position in which they were placed. Inaddition, those nger regulators which were not of relatively massiveproportions were extremely fragile and hence quite undependable. As aresult, the utilization of finger type regulators has laggedconsiderably behind regulators of other types. This has beenparticularly true in military installations where dependability underall sorts of climatic conditions and under extreme vibratory conditions,such as are experienced in tanks and aircraft, is a prime requisite. Inaddition, size and weight considerations are of extreme importanceparticularly insofar as portable and aircraft installations areconcerned. No finger type regulator has in the past been able to satisfymilitary requirements and the size and weight of prior art nger typeregulators as used in industrial applications have made the units soexpensive that they could not economically compete with alternativedevices.

By means of an extensive redesign of finger type regulators, I haveproduced a unit which is of Vexceedingly small size yet whichWilloperate accurately no matter in what position it may be placed norto what accelerated forces it may :be subjected, and which exhibitsoutstanding Vresistance to vibration. My entire unit maybeencompassed ina housing 1% inches high, 1% inches long and 1% inches wide. Theinherent accuracy of my device is so great, even when subjected togreatly diverse climatic conditions and to extreme vibratory action,that it has successfully passed all of the tests prescribed by theUnited States Army Air Forces and the United States Army Signal Corpsfor circuit regulators, and in passing them has performed better thannon-finger type regulators formerly used for the same purpose. My deviceis the first finger type regulator capable of satisfying theserequirements. Orders for substantial numbers of my regulators havealready been made by the armed forces.

The greatly improved operation of my device is due to a number of specicdesign features which depart radically from similar prior art devices.This application relates specically to the mounting of theelectromagnetically controlled armature, to its interconnection withthe' member which sequentially lifts the movable ngers from their xedcontacts, and to the positioning and connecting of a dashpot to thearmature and the finger lifting member so that the action of the fingerlifting member may be appropriately damped. Other novel features of myregulator shown but not claimed herein are claimed in my copendingapplications Ser. No. 157,948, iiled April 25, 1950, now Patent2,550,779, issued May l, 1951, and entitled Electromagnetic Unit, whichis a division of the instant application and Ser. No. 49,726, filedSeptember 17, 1948, entitled Finger Type Circuit Regulator, ContactAssembly Therefor, and Method of Making Same.

To design a finger type regulator characterized by lightness,compactness, and inexpensiveness and at the same time accurate in allpositions and when subjected to eXtreme vibratory influences required acomplete rearrangement of the moving partsof the regulator, these partsincluding the armature and the finger lifting member. It was discoveredthat. for accurate control of the movable fingers, it was desirable thatthe finger lifting member be movable substantially in a straight lineand that it engage the fingers by motion substantially at right anglesthereto. It was further discovered that dashpot damping of these movingparts was an important factor in achieving proper operation. To mountthe dashpot in line with the iinger lifting member would result in aunit of excessive size. Since the plunger moves in the dashpot with verysmall clearance, on the order of a few ten-thousandths of an inch, it isessential that the plunger be urged as closely as possible in itsdirection of movement, since any material deviation 'from that directionof movement would cause the plunger to tend to bind in its cylinder andhence not only destroy the damping effect but prevent the finger liftingmember from moving at all. By the same token, if the finger liftingmember were disposed in line with the armature, or, to put the matteranother way, if the armature were movable in the same direction as thenger lifting member, the size of the unit would be materially increased.

Hence, in the design here disclosed, the armature is pivotally mountedon the electromagnet which constitutes the armature moving mecha-- nismand is disposed substantially perpendicular to the :linger liftingmember to which it is pivotallyconnected. Springs are active onthengerlifting' member to bias it to a position 'out of engagement with thelingers, this feature.

being well known in prior art regulators, but inv the design heredisclosed, the springsso orient.

the finger lifting member that it assumes a position substantiallyperpendicular toV the arma-` ture and to 'the ngers andmaintainsitsangular relationship to the fingers and to the dash potthroughout its range of movement. The plunger of the dashpot is fastenedto the nger lifting rmember, and throughiti to the armature, bymeansfof` an. angular connection 1 so that. as'. thev finger lifting.' membermoves,y the angular connection moves the ip'lunger of. the., dashpot initsv f permitted direction f. of movement, .this elirni hating anyposibility of binding on the partil of the plunger in -itss cylinders.

The vprime object of Y the f. present invention is.. therefore,y toVdeviseafnngertype i. regulator de.m signwhichewillpermit the.. regulator'to take up `as smalliy aspace asvl` possiblel andi a .much smallerspace`than, any of .1 the similar prior@ artxdevices and; at the sametime torcause' the` regulator tio-functionwithiaihigh-1degreelofi.accuracynnderi adverse-conditions;

Anothenprime-fobject of this-.invention is to devisey a'nA1armature-linger lifting. member-dashpotarrangement which.' will permitthe attainmentfof vthe -iirst mentioned prime object.

Another obj ect? of the present invention: is t devise val-inger-y typeregulator structure-in which the biasing force applied to' the: fingerlifting member by the springs attached: thereto rnay4l Fig. 4' is asidefragmentary View showing the armature? mountedL on the f electromagnet';

Fig.v 5-=i`s aview taken along the line 5.-5 of; Figi 4;

Eig.. (5i/'s` a cross-'sectional .view -taken 4alonggthei line'iG-JiofFig.' 5.;

Fig'. 7 isav top' View of theiarmatureandgthe mounting; member;therefor;

Fig; .8 is azcross-sectional view taken: along they linexfi-B'of Fig.5;iand

Fig. 9.isfan explo'ded'iview'ofa second embodi mentof1v the present`invention differing from thelflr'st embodiment in manners not pertinent.to. the :present invention.

sulating material, from which connection prongs`V 4 depend,= so that"the; entireunit is adapted to. bepluggediinto a.-.suitablesocket. Ametal plate y The regulator here: describedv` comprises.- aninsulatingplate 2, formed of any suitablel in 6 is secured to the insulating base2 as by means of eyelets 8, and a casing l0, shown in Fig. 1 in dot-dashlines, is adapted to be secured to the plate in any appropriate manner.

The contact assembly generally designated i2 comprises a plaque i4 atone end of which e. plurality of ixed contacts l5 are secured, thesecontacts in Figs. 1 3y being individually con nested by means of theleads i8 to the appropriate oneof the prongs li. Also secured to theplaque lll are a plurality'of resilient ngers Zii, one for each fixedcontact I6. The fingers 2B in the form here disclosed are formed of aresilient material which is a good conductor ci eiectricity. The freeends 22 of the fingers 2t project outl beyond the plaque it and thefingers 20'. are normally urged into electrical connection with the xedcontacts i6, thus defining movabie' contacts. A metal clamp 2f?. servesin the embodiment of Figs.. l-3 to secure the inner ends 1.0i". thengers 20ste the plaque. ifi; Apair of mounting.. arms 225:- are securedto the.v plaque`v s.and,are'spaced from the plate Bfby means-.oiFsleeves 28, the. sleeves .beingI appropriately posi-ftioned bypassingover, screwsA 391 extending upwardly :from .the insulatingplate 2.

The` electromagnetY generally designatedl 32,

which 1 dennesi the armature.v moving mechanism oomprises'anenergizingcoil Sli/woundxaround av .inagnetizable core' 36,- the upper. end. ofthe core.; beingsecured'fwithin,l the'zmagnetizableftop'. plate. 3SVofthe eleotromagnet;B2i..` Magnetizable spacers to.' 'are'.a'lso'secured: at onetend to. the magnetic.

topplate te and at their.` other.: end have screw threaded projectionsi2 which'. passY throughapertures` t3 inithes magnetizable; bottomplate:

M: The core. Sii. extends downwardly through an'. aperture is. in the..bottornf plate.' fit.

internally'4 threaded spacers 59 and 52 are positioned'belowthe-magnet'bottom plate Ml sov as. toireceivef the'. threaded projectingportions ..421 of.. the' magnetizable. spacers t9, thus main,m

taining tlfief electromagnet. 32l ini assembled posif tion;Thespa'cerstZ; are;v considerably, shorter'. thanlrthe spacers 5t,the'spacers 5.0.eXtending-'be-- tween .the :magnet bottom plate .te and'the plate` S. and.5 being.` secured in position by.` means of, screws'.5s extending. through .the insulating plate: 2 and. the-'spacers 52`bengi positioned.r between:- the: contact assembly.-` i2' and the.magnet'. top.. platey 38=s'o as tobe threadedly engageablewithk the:screws. to. In. this way; the;v contactzassembly. [.2 andi; theeltctrornagnet zare'secured.

inpositionl in the unit.'

The armature isdn.. theiorm .0.15a.;fl`a't-.fslieets of magnetizablematerial-,to the. upper surface` orf` which is securedfa-.exiblevnon-magneticfsheet defining. the"` ai'rnature-mounting member s 53, themountingmemberyxbeing in'turn secured to the magnet bottom plate.-itbetweensaid plate. 441v and the spacers 52.. The.;V armature;-mounting.

member'V 581is so constructed that the armaturefis pivotableabout anaxis parallel to the plane ofthe lower surfaceof theimagnet bottomplate,

iifandparallel to a line` between the-axes of they spacers 52,.as willbedescribedlater more in detail.. `The' right hand portionv ofthearmature 56; as viewed in Fig; 1, is' provided withan aper-g tureSil-concentrically. arrangeable with the downwardly projecting portionofthe core (i6-so that said. projecting portion isy receivable. therein.

The lefthand portion of the: armature: 5tv extends Leads` li E?,.whichzpass'through .apertures iS'fin the: bottom plateiiconnect'thecoiltd yto appropriate prongs out beyond the electromagnet32, and it is to that left hand portion of the armature 56 that thearmature mounting member 58 is fastened as by means of rivets 62. Thespacers 50 are provided with shoulders 64 which are adapted to engagewith the extreme right hand portions of the armature 56 so as to limitits pivotal motion in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l.

The finger lifting member 6'6 is in the form of a sheet ofnon-conducting material having an inclined lower edge 68. The member 66is mounted substantially perpendicular to the extending free ends 22 ofthe fingers 28 and is movable in a direction substantially perpendicularthereto so that as the member 66 is moved downwardly, its inclined loweredge 68 will sequentially make contact with the fingers 20 and thus movethem one after the other out of electrical connection with the fixedcontacts I6.

The extreme left hand portion A'Hl of the armature mounting member 5Bextends out beyond the armature 56 and is receivable in the aperture 'I2in the finger lifting member 66 so as to be passable between the uppersurface of said aperture 72 and the lug 14 formed therein. The portioni8 of the armature mounting member 58 is provided with an aperture 16through which the lug 14 is receivable, and by means of this lug andaperture connection the nger lifting member 66 is connected to thearmature 56 so as to be pivotable with respect thereto as the armature56 is pivoted on the magnet bottom plate 44.

In order to ensure that the finger lifting member 66 maintains itsproper position, so that the entire width of its inclined lower edge 68will make contact with the ends 22 of the fingers 20, a pair of springs80 are active thereon, one end of each of the springs being securable inapertures 82 in the member 66 and the other end'of the springs beingsecurable in notches 84 in the frame portions 85 which may be integralextensions of the magnet top plate 38. The frame portions 85 arepreferably made relatively narrow so that they may, if desired, bemanually bendable so as to vary the tension which the springs 8D exertupon the nger lifting member 66.

The dashpot generally designated 88 comprises a cylinder 8|] in which apiston 92 is slidable. The dashpot 88 is secured to the unit by means ofscrews 84 which pass through other frame portions 96, also preferablyintegral extensions of the magnet top plate 38, these frame portions 96being separated so as to provide access to the adjusting screw 98 whichcontrols` the air escape from the dashpot 88 and hence determines theextent of its damping action. The plunger 92 of the dashpot 88 issecured to the finger lifting member 66 by engagement of the angularconnection |00, here shown as of L- shape, in the aperture |0| of themember 66, in which it may be secured by solder |83.

The detailed construction and functioning of theA armature mounting maybest be seen in Figs. 4 through 8. The magnet bottom plate 44, which isan end plate of the electromagnet 32, has a side |62 beyond which theleft hand portion of the armature 56 projects. Centrally mountedadjacent the side |02 is a stop |64 having a shoulder |06 which projectsout beyond the side |02 and below the plate |94, the stop |04 as hereillustrated projecting downwardly from the magnet bottom end plate 44.The side |92 is provided with an inset portion |08 under the shoulder|06 and is also provided with inset portions Ile oneither side of thestop |04, the purpose of which inset portions |88 and ||0 will become` rthe externally threaded projecting portions 42 of the spacers 4), theportions ||2 of the mounting member 58 receiving the projecting portions42 within the apertures |4 and being securable between the magnet bottomend plate 44 and the spacers 52.

Integrally connected to the portions ||2 are strips I6 which arefastenable, by means of rivets 62, to the left hand end of the armature56. The strips H6 are so positioned with respect to the portions ||2that they pass over the inset portions H6 of the magnet bottom end plate44.

Also a part of the magnet mounting member 58 are legs |25 which areadapted to be positioned over the portions |22 of the magnet end bottomplate 44 between the inset portions ||0 thereof. The legs |26 terminatein aligned edges |24 which, as will be seen most clearly from Fig. 8,constitute the axis about which the armature 56 pivots.

Connected to the left hand extremity of the strip-s ||6 is finger |26optionally secured to the armature 56 by means of rivet |28 andterminating in an edge |35 preferably in line with the edges |24 of thelegs |28. The end portion of the finger |26 is receivable beneath theshoulder |86 of the stop |84, that shoulder being separated from thebottom surface of the magnet bottom end plate 44 by a distance equal tothe thickness of the nger |26. The armature 56 is provided with anaperture |32 through which the stop |64 is freely passable.

'I'he embodiment of Fig. 9 differs from that of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in thatthe fixed contacts I6' vare individually bendable, are secured to theplaque i4 by means of a metal clamp 24', and are provided with a commonlead I8. The plaque I4 is secured in the unit by the U-shaped mountingmember 26' and the lingers 20 are individually secured to the plaque I4by the eyelets |65 and are provided with individual leads |8 to theappropriate prongs 4.

By reason oi the pivotal connection between the finger moving member 66and the armature 56 and because of the location and orientation l of thesprings 88, the nger lifting member 86 ment with the *ingers 28, thusmoving them one by one out of electrical connection with thecorresponding xed contacts i8. As this takes place, the action of thesprings 88 and the pivotal connection between the armature 56 and theiingerv lifting member 68 causes the member 66 tc main-v tain the sameangular relation to the fingers and the stationary parts of the unit sothat the entire width of the lower edge' 88 bears directly upon thefingers 26, thus increasing the accuracy 75 of the device. It will beclear that if the member agasog'grsar,

Glawereeto accurately :maintalnxtsjangular rela:-

tionship with the armature 5Saasthedatterpivots.

the entire@ widthi oft; the.: surface G81' would `onli7bee-activeruponithe iingers. Zforgone-tposition: ofV the,` moving;partei.: and that as.; the. parts de: viate-.a from: that;Y position,the: edges: rather.l th an".

tha-entire; width:l of.the.;surfacer SB 1would7 bei eff fectvestomove:thefiingers, Suchi.a...differen=v` G Sandthefarmatule,should bexupsetf,

They member; te; will move,. `as `the armature; 55; pivots,substantially in the plane of itsgorienta:A tion; Ther; motionwillnotgbe.; exactly in'` that plane? because;v oit the fact, that; the-fextending;

end 191:. ofzthetarmature 'mounting member 58, to

whiohLthea'nger; lifting member.; E5. directlyY However; by `reasonofthedmiteddesree of; pivoting of which; the;

connected; describescani arc;

armatureY 55;. isi-capable; the motion o-tthe finger lifting member t6 1is.Y planar. for. all practicabpur-rv poses and is iny theplanein whichthememberg- 66 is, oriented. Hence, engagement between thengers ZQf-andthe lower surface;.31ofjthe mem: ber.v 66; is; direct-1 and:positivawith only, an: inf

iinitesimal and;l wholly.: inconsequential sliding: movement over thefingers 29. In addition, sincer thegmotionpof .thegmember-.t fis, in thesame directiona's; theypermissible:motion of; the plunger 92 of the-da,shpotf 8.8-, the two. may be directly-conf nected zwithoutjanydanger of-bindng in the dash-- pot 88;. The deviation of the motionofthe mem.`

ber-Et fro1ntrueplanar motion is so` slightas to.

beimperceptible to. the plunger 92 .ofthe dashpot S8; particularlywhenthe.y connector.- lod.. is even slightly resilient.

The,v magnet mounting'member4 58'. isi interposed between the armature5t vandthe magnet bottom end plate de. so that: the armature; and,

the magnet end .plate areseparatedby thefthiclrnessL of thegmountngmember 58., Since the legs..

1Z0-terminate shortoftheside EQ2 of themagnet bottornplate te; thevbiasing tension .exerted byy the springs S will cause-thearmature-Stigtopivot, about the edges. |25 off the legs., 12S.'V Since;thosev4 edges-are in line, theydene anaxissaboutwhich1 the; armaturevis,pivotable. Ifv theelectromagnietV4 32 beeenergized,- thev armatureIEwill becansed to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction as .Viewedirrlig. 1,-l this pivoting still taking placegaboutith'e the. unit, maybe subjected. In the event that;

beoauseof a substantialchange in directionofj motion of theunit, Yas`when Ythe unitiscontainedx within .anaircraft making a high speedturn.theI armatureasis urged away from the :magnet-end.

plate M-the-actual pivoting action ofthe armar ture. 55.V may be exertedrabout ;the edge- |353: ofthe.; finger 126 as thai-,edgeis'retainedin.position.by the shoulder 59S on the stop lil/ibut,sincethe edge I3!! iszpreferably in linewith the edges'lZe. of the legs12B, thearmature rwill stillpivot;

about the same axis.

In assembing the unit, they armature'- 56 is.. rst secured toitsmounting member; by means; of thefrivets B2l` and' |28; and the.portions I I2- of the mountingmember 58,are then.plaoed;in. position...on they-magnet.. end plate 44, the pro-A jectirlgrzprtons: 42, of 7the., Spacers 40 being i 11er ceivedr. within: the.; apertures l la;Since.; theseapertures; l le' are considerably; larger.; than; thefprojecting portionsfiZ ofthespacersi 40:, thegarma.:ture1mounting=memberyf .and withvit fthe. armar( ture565:.isfslidablwithinLlirnits overfthe magnetrbottcmxplatez 451 The.;armature 56 is. therefore; adjusted untilitsfaperture llzis .rendered.concernd tric; with.. the. core, 5.8: of. thel electromagnet; 32.

Thismayfreadilyfbze accomplishedxby the '.-use=of.; al ring: gauge;dmensioned. torv t' between g. the;-`l exterior.V of"l the;`V core'` 35?andv the interior: of; thief;` aperture; Sr. When= properrpositioning;l'iasrbeerr.. thus.- aoh-ievedf and. maintained;` the.Ispacers 52.5

` mayathenffbe:.tightened thus xedly .securingirtheflaL armature Etf.tin; its; proper positiom, lube;I noted thatv any shiftingofftheaarmature.5&1to: bring.v itcintoxpropery 'positionl with respect.'.to thee core 35 is accompanied-by: au.correspondingvshift:

of .the pivot axis abioutwhich theV armature 56m/ill pivot; since: the.axisfis dened Aby theedgesa, 124': and |301' of the legs IZ andthefinger I26iand.: said flegs f and" nger' are `.rigidly attached togandi,consequently; move withl the 1 armature Y et as :itzisimoved..

The i importance vof achieving proper: relationeshipbetween thearmature5e andthe electro/a. magneti 32' is .apparent fromu the factv that-:the:magnetic ux fgenerated by; the coil 3d passes upf-- wardly; throughthe'coreid,A through the magnets. top-.plate 38" and thence throughthemagnetic#- spacers 49 to=themagnetfbottom plateallll; The. iuxthentendston pass from the44 interior ofI the aperture it? in fthe-magnetzbottom' plate t4 back. tothe core; Se, butthe f large air gapinhibits fthiszl flow. Most. ofthe: uxy passes to the armature.'ifandofftl'iey fiux. which doesgo to .the` armature- .Y imostiof itenters the armature near the pivot-2 point thereoffwlfiere the air gapis least; Eromv there, the-'flux jumps the air gap betweenthe-v`interior ofthe'iaperture inthe armature 5t' andthe core 36, sincethisair gap is considerablyv lessfthantheair gap between the interiorof'theaperture e6 and'thecore` 36. As thel armature pivotsinvacounter-clockwise direction; the-uxdistribution will changer.because of thezgreater proximity off'the extreme rightihand'end ofthearmatureA 551 to the magnet bottom plate 441' and b'ecause-f theprojecting tip of? the core 3(5V receivablewithinV the apertureli. Ifvthe aper ture-Sisproperly positioned with respect to thecorey 39, atstraight line relationship betweenfthe magneti'mpulland the positionassumed bythe: armature ffwill resulty over` a large proportionoffthepermissible movement ofthe armature 56.

The inse'tportions ile' ofy the side m2' of 'the magnet top plateI dll"vproject inwardly beyond the pivotalaxisiof the armature 565 so thatzthestrips- H6 are permitted to'bend freely above the=plane^-= of' thelowersurface Vof the magnet bottom plate1 d'4 as the armature pivots.TheV pivotalactiony is: therefore frictionless andfunimpeded throughoutthe eiTectivemotion-of the armature.I

Byctheg.abovedescribed arrangement of lixed t andmovingi partsI I'havedevised a linger typel regulatorxwhich-is capable ofi being encompassedYin ant. exceedingly small space, which: utilizesaV` minimum. number of`parts; which is: extremely.'- simpletoI assemble-andadjust; and whichmay be manufactured ata small fraction of: the costoff" prior.-v art:structures comparable inoperation. Theidevicevof my invention islexceedingly accu.A rate-- andl capable of; operation over long periods.of 'time-and underfadverse conditionsforclmat'e,` placementgand.vibration: .without :loss/.of 'depende--Y ability. By the arrangementhere described, a compact unit is developed the moving parts of whichare so spatially and directionally related as to ensure a maximum ofpositive and predictable operation and a minimum of deviations fromnormal operation.

The unit is composed of a minimum number of parts, all easilyfabricatable on a mass production basis to commercial tolerances andquickly and simply assemblable into the finished unit without requiringthe use of any equipment more complicated than a conventional ringgauge.

It will be apparent that many deviations may be made in the details heredisclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as ldefined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with saidfixed contacts, a linger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, saidmember being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active onsaid member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane ofmovement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armaturesubstantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotallyconnected to said member to move it in the other direction, and armaturemoving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling theposition of said fingers.

2. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with saidfixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, saidmember being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active onsaid member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane ofmovement so as to urge said member in one'direction, an armaturesubstantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotallyconnected to said member to move it in the other direction, a dashpotcomprising a fixed and a. movable element, said movable element beingmovable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member,an angular connector between said member and said movable element, andVarmature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thuscontrolling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element ofsaid dashpot is always urged in its proper plane of movement. 3. Acircuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a pluralityof movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said fixedcontacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, saidmember being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active onsaid member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane ofmovement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armaturesubstantially perpendicular to said plane of movement to move saidmember in the other direction, a lug and aperture pivotalinterconnection between said armature and said member, and armaturemoving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling theposition of said fingers.

A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of movable ngers normally urged into engagement with saidfixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said ngers t0sequentially move them-outlof engagement with said fixed contacts, saidmember being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active onsaid member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane ofmovement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armaturesubstantially perpendicular tol said,- plane of movement to move saidmember in the other direction, a lug and aperture pivotalinterconnection between` said armature and said member, a dashpotvcomprising a fixed and a movable element, said movable element beingmovable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member,an angular connector between said member and said movable element, andarmature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thuscontrolling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element ofsaid dashpot is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

5. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with saidlfixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them out of en gagement with said fixed contacts, saidmember being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active onsaid member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane ofmovement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armaturesubstantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotallyconnected to said member to move it in the other direction, and anelectromagnetic device active on said armature to position the same andhence control the position of said fingers, said armature beingpivotally mounted with respect to said electromagnetic device.

6. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a,plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with saidfixed contacts, a nger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them out of engagement with said xed contacts, saidmember being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active onsaid member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane ofmovement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armaturesubstantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotallyconnectedto saidmember to move it in the other direction, a dashpotcomprising a iixed and a movable element,said movable element beingmovable in a direction parallel to the plane of lmovement of saidmember, andan angular connector between said member and said movableelement, and an electromagnetic device active on said armature toposition the same and hence control the posi'- tion of said fingers,said armature being pivotally mounted with respect to saidelectromagnetic de# vice, whereby the movable element of said dash# potis always urged in its proper plane of movement.

7. A circuit regulator comprising an electro-` magnet,` an armaturepivotally mounted on an end cf said electromagnet and having a portionextending to one side of said electromagnet, a plurality of fixedcontacts fixedly mounted relative to said electromagnet, a plurality ofmovable iin-1' gers normally urged'into engagement with said fixedcontacts, a finger lifting meinbel` pivotally attached to the extendingportion of said armature and engageable with said fingers tosequentially `move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, anda spring active on said member to urge it in one direction, said memberbeing normally in a plane substantially perpendicular to said armatureand said spring being active in the plane of said member so that as saidarmature pivots on said electromagnet, said member substantiallymaintains its angular relationship to said fingers.

8. A circuit regulator comprising `an electromagnet, an armaturepivotally mounted on an end of said electromagnet and Ahaving a portionextending `to one side of said electromagnet. a plurality of xedcontacts iixedly mounted relative to said electromagnet, a plurality ofmovable fingers normally urged into engagement with said iixed contacts,a iinger lifting member pivotally vattached to the extending portion ofsaid armature and engageable with said lingers to sequentially move themout of engagement `with said lfixed contacts, a spring active on saidmember to urge it in one direction, said member being normally in aplane substantially perpendicular to said armature and said spring beingactive in the plane of said member, a dashpot comprising a cylinder anda plunger, said plunger being movable in a direction parallel to theplane of movement of said member, and an L-shaped connector between saidmember and said plunger, whereby as said armature pivots on saidelectromagnet said member substantially maintains its angularrelationship to said dashpot and hence the plunger is always urged inits proper plane of movement.

9. A circuit regulator comprising an electromagnet having a top and abottom, `an armature pivotally mounted on the bottom of saidelectromagnet and having a portion extending to one side thereof, aplurality of fixed contacts fixedly mounted below the extending portionof said armature, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged intoengagement with said xed contacts, a nger lifting member pivotallyattached to the l2 of said member, and an L-shaped connector betweensaid member and said plunger, whereby las said armature pivots on saidelectromagnet said member substantially maintains its angularrelationship to said dashpot and hence the plunger is always urged inits proper plane of movement.

1l. A circuit;y regulator comprising an electromagnet having a top plateand a bottom, an armature pivotally mounted on the bottom of said 'ielectromagnet and having a portion extending to "urged into engagementwith said iixed contacts, a

ii-nger lifting member pivotally attached to the extending portion ofsaid armature by means of a lugand aperture interconnection andengageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagementwith said iixed contacts, said 4top plate having a portion extendingabove the yextending portion of said armature, a spring connectedbetween said member and the extending extending portion of said armatureand engageto move in one direction and to orient itself in f' thatdirection so that as said armature pivots on said electromagnet, saidmember substantially maintains its angular relationship to saidframeportion.

10. A circuit regulator comprising an electromagnet having a top and abottom, an armature pivotally mounted on the bottom of saidelectromagnet and having a portion extending to one side thereof, aplurality of fixed contacts iixedly mounted below the extending portionof said armature, a plurality of movable ngers normally urged intoengagement with said iixed contacts, a iinger lifting member pivotallyattached to the extending ,portion of said armature and engagey ablewith said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with saidfixed contacts, a frame portion connected to said electromagnet andextending to one side thereof, a spring connected between said memberand said frame portion and active,V upon said member to urge it to imove in one direction and to orient itself in that direction, a dashpotcomprising a cylinder anda plunger positioned above the extendingportion of i said armature, said plunger being movable in a directionparallel to the. direction of movement portion of said top plate andactive upon said member to urge it to move in one direction and i Atoorient itself in that direction, a dashpot comprising a cylinder and aplunger mounted on the extending portion of said top plate andpositioned between said top plate and the extending portion of saidarmature, said plunger being movable in a direction parallel to thedirection of movement of said member, and an L-shaped connector betweensaid member and said plunger, whereby as said armature pivots on saidelectromagnet, said member substantially maintains its angularrelationship to said dashpot and hence the plunger is always urged inits proper plane of movement.

12. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with saidfixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, andan electromagnetic unit comprising an electromagnet, an armaturemounting member, and an armature pivotally mounted thereon, said magnetcomprising an end plate having a side and having a stop projecting fromsaid plate adjacent said side, said armature comprising a portionadapted to overlie said end plate and a portion extending out past saidside, said armature having an aperture in which said stop is receivable,and said mounting member being of resilient material secured to said endplate and to the extending portion of said armature, positioned betweensaid plate and armature, and having an edge overlying said plate, saidstop having a shoulder separated from said top plate by a distanceapproximately equal to the thickness of said mounting member, and afinger on said mounting member received beneath said shoulder andterminating in an edge, whereby said armature will frictionlessly pivotabout said edges of said mounting member in any position of said units,said mounting member extending out past said armature and having anaperture therein, said linger lifting member hav- 13. A circuitregulator comprising a plurality of iixed contacts, a plurality ofmovable iingers normally urged into engagement with said iixed contacts,a linger lifting member engageable with 13 said fingers to sequentilalymove them out of engagement with said xed contacts, and anelectromagnetic unit comprising an electromagnet, an armature mountingmember, and an armature pivotally mounted thereon, said magnetcomprising an end plate having a side and having a stop projecting fromsaid plate adjacent said side, said armature comprising a portionadapted to overlie said end plate and a portion extending vout past saidside, said armature having an aperture in which said stop is receivable,and said mounting member being of resilient material secured to said endplate and to the extending portion of said armature, positioned betweensaid plate and armature, and having an edge overlying said plate, saidstop having a shoulder separated from said top plate by a distanceapproximately equal to the thickness of said mounting member, and afinger on said mounting member received beneath said shoulder andterminating in an edge, whereby said armature will frictionlessly pivotabout said edges of said mounting member in any position of said unit,said mounting member extending out past said armature'and having anaperture therein, said finger lifting member having a projectionreceivable in the aperture of said mounting member so that said fingerlifting member is pivotally mounted with respect to said armature.

14. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixedcontacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said xedcontacts, a nger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to saidfixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a singleplane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantiallyparallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in onedirection, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane ofmovement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the otherdirection, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armatureand thus controlling the position of said fingers.

15. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixedcontacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixedcontacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said xedcontacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, aspring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel tosaid plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, anarmature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement andpivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, adashpot comprising xed and a movable element, said movable element beingmovable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member,an angular connector between said member and said movable element, andarmature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thuscontrolling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element ofsaid dashpot is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

16. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixedcontacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixedcontacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to saidfixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a singleplane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantiallyparallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in onedirection, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane ofmovement to move said member in the other direction, a. lug and aperturepivotal interconnection between said armature and said member, andarmature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thuscontrolling the position of said fingers.

17. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with saidcontacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixedcontacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to saidfixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a singleplane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantiallyparallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in onedirection, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane ofmovement to move said member in the other direction, a lug and aperturepivotal interconnection between said armature and said member, a dashpotcomprising a fixed and a movable element, said movable element beingmovable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member,an angular connector between said member and said movable element, andarmature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thuscontrolling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element ofsaid dashpot is always urge in its proper plane of movement 18. Acircuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a pluralityof fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contactsand normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixed contacts,a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentiallymove them in an opposite direction with respect to said fixed contacts,said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a springactive on said member in a direction substantially parallel to saidplane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, anarmature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement andpivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction,and an electromagnetic device active on said armature to position thesame and hence control the position of said fingers, said armature beingpivotally mounted with respect to said electromagnetic device. w

19. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, aplurality of ngers movable into and out of engagement with said fixedcontacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said xedcontacts, a ringer lifting member engageable with said fingers tosequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to saidfixed contacts, said member be* ing movable substantially in a singieplane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantiallyparallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in onedirection, an arma ture substantially perpendicular to said plane ofmovement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the otherdirection, a dashpot comprising a fixed and a movable element, saidmovable feleinent 'zrbeing l movable 1 in :sa Vdirection'iparalleitto?thezrplaner of., movement of i said memf aber;yand'f'anfiangular.connector betweenrsaidlmem- .berrand -:said movable.eleinent and. an electro magnetic .device active on Tsaidarmature atopo ,f

'Withrespect'tofsaid xedcontacts, a iingerliiting :member pivotally"attached to :the extending por tioni f "said armature 'and' engageablewith .said fngers totsequentially `move ithem in an opposite.','direction'v With: respectto said fixed contacts, .and a1-springactive on saidmember to urge it in one vdirection, said'memberibeingnormally in a plane f'substantially perpendicular to said armature and:said spring being. active in the plane of said meh iberrso'; that as4said-armature pivots on said electromagnet'said A member. substantiallymaintains its; angular relationshipto said. fingers.

L21. A Ycircuit: regulator comprising an electro-:.:rna'gnei'canarmature',pivotally` mounted on an iendrof"saidfielectromagnet and. having'a portion `'extending lto one: side of'said electromagnet, a `plurality of. fixed contactsxedly .mountedrelaaptive 'toi'.said electromagnet, av plurality of fingers movableinto andout of".engagement withsaid fixed contacts and" normally urgedin one direc- Vr;tiorr`vvithy respect :to .said fixed contacts, a fingerlifting member pivotally' attached to. the extendying'portion of' saidarmature and engageable with said ngersrto sequentially move them inY anoppoisitefdirection Withrespectto'said xed contacts, ifafspringr'activeon'saidfmember to'urge it in one .zfdirection,':said member beingnormally in a plane -flsubstantially'r perpendicular toisaid armatureand :saidspring'being active `in the plane of said inem- /.ber, sa:dashpot '.comprising 1a cylinder and a izplungerrisaid'plunger.beingmovable inV adirecutioniparallel to the'plane of 'f movement ofsaid rmembenfand'an'.Lsshapedconnector between said -memberzandsai`dplungenwhereby'as said arma- .-tureipivots on'said electromagnet saidmember ".isubstantially vmaintains its angular Arelationship tosaiddashpotand hence the plunger is always @urged in itsproper'plane ofmovement.

:'122.:'A :circuit .regulator Icomprising an electromagnet having a topand a bottom, an'arma1 'turei'pivotally mounted kon the bottom of saidfelectromagnet and having `a portion extending' to yone iside thereof,raplurality 4of fixed contacts iixedlyfmounted i below the extendingportion of saidfarmaturepa plurality of fingers movable into `randfoutoffengagement-with'said fixed contacts fand normally urge'din 'onedirection with respec'ttovlsaid "hired/contacts, a nger liftingmeini'berfpivotally"attached to the extending portion IT51? f'sai'd4"armature 'and 'engageable with said f'ngers 'to lsequentially "movethem in an op'- p'osite fdirection i with lrespect to 'said' fixed oon--taetsfai'frame portion `connected to said electromagnet vand extendingto 'one "side thereof, `:andaspringconnected' between said member andsa-iii ffraiiie*V port-ion and active i upon said Vniemiii ber .tourge.; it .to imove iin ione direction 'an'd i: to orient itselftinzthat.direction soithatasisaid armature pivots on '.,said ielectromagnet,:said member substantiallymaintains its: angularfrela-l tionship tosaidirame portion.

.23u-A circuit regulator comprising :an` elecvtroinagnet'having a ,topanda bottom,z an, armature Ypivotally mounted on the bottom'ofssaideleotroniagnetf and having a portion 'extending to one sidethereof, laplurality of nxed contacts iixedly'mounted below theextending'portion`on? :said "armature, a 'plurality .of lingers 'movable intoandout'oflengagement with'said 'xed contacts*andznormallyurged inone'jdirectionV with: respect. to said lxed'contacts, ra .nn-

'ger lifting -member pivotaliyattached' to ythe'ex Vtendirigportionofrsaid armature and engageable 'with said Ifingers to sequentiallylmovethemtin an oppositeidirectionfwithL-respeot tosaid xed contacts, laframe portion iconne'eted lto :said eiectromagnet and extending 5to`oneiside therecoi`,.a springtconnected*between said member-fand saidframe portionzand active upon'saidi member `tol urge it to; move in onedirectionfandto orient itself in thatl direction, 'Ja'dashpot comprising:a kcylinder and av .plungerfpositionedabove theizex- 'tending portionofzsaidfarmature, said `plunger being movableinazdirection parallel'tothe ldirection of movement of said member,and;-Jan:l. shaped; connectorvbetiveen saidfmember and said plunger, '1 whereby i. as 'said armature'ipivots ton said electromagnet .said :fmember lsubstantially 'maintainsits:.angularrelationshipttof said dashpot andxhence therplungerisfalways: urged. in'. its

proper plane of. movement.

24. A circuitv regulator 'comprising 'ra :plurality of fixed contacts,a'piurality'of iingersfmovable into and out of engagement with' said"xedfcontacts and' normally urged zin one. direction "withrespectto'said xed contacts, 'a nger lifting member engageable with said"lingers t to "sequentiallymove them 'in an Loppositefolirectiori withrespect to said fixedcontaots, and'an electromagnetic unit 'comprisingan electromagnet,

' an armature mounting memben'andanarmature pivotally Amounted thereon,said magnet comprising'an 'end' plate having ai side andlhaving a stopprojecting V'iromlsaidfplate adjacent said side, Vsaid armature"comprising a portion adapted to overiiefsaid'end plateand al portionextending out 'past' said side, i said? armature havingan aperture inwhich said stop'is receivable. and said mounting member -being 'ofresilient lmaterial' securedto'said 'end lplateffand to the extendingportion 'of said: armature, positioned between said plateand armature,Aand having'ian edge 'overlying said plate, "said stop having a shoulderseparated from said top''plate'byal distance approximately equal tothethickness fof said mounting fmember, y'and 'a linger on I#said mountingmember received 'beneath said' shoulder and terminating in'anr edge,wherebyfsai'd'arm'avture will frictionlessly pivot about 'said fedges ofsaid mountingmember in any positionof' said units, said mounting memberextending out past Isaid armature and havingan'aperture therein, vsaidfinger lifting member having aprojection receivable in the aperture ofsaid mounting meinber sothat said finger lifting member is pivotallymounted with respect 'to said armature.

25. A circuit regulator'compi'ising'fa plurality 'of fixedcontacts'aplurality of Afingers 'movable into and out of `engagementVwith" said "fixed con- 'tactsand `'normally urged in one direction "withrespect vto said vfixed contacts, affinger "lifting 17 member engageablewith said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite directionwith respect to said xed contacts, and an electromagnetic unitcomprising an electromagnet, an armature mounting member, and anarmature pivotally mounted thereon, said magnet comn prising an endplate having a side and having a stop projecting from said plateadjacent said side, said armature comprising a portion adapted tooverlie said end plate and a portion extending out past said side, saidarmature having an aperture in which said stop is receivable, and saidmounting member being of resilient material secured to said end plateand to the extending portion of said armature. positioned between saidplate and armature, and having an edge overlying said plate, said stophaving a shoulder separated from said top plate by a distanceapproximately equal to the thickness of said mounting member, and afinger on said mounting member received beneath said shoulder andterminating in an edge, whereby said armature will frictionlessly pivotabout said edges of said ARTHUR M. COHEN.

REFERENCES CITED IThe following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 847,555 Craft Mar. 19, 19071,106,187 Bossu Aug. 4, 1914 2,338,250 Logan Jan. 4, 1944 2,351,901Austin June 20, 1944 2,444,198 Hasselhorn June 29, 1948 2,458,247 BryanJan. 4, 1949 2,461,360 Vincent Feb. 8, 1949

